Councilmember JP Morrell Steps Up Fight to Reform Short Term Rental Laws in Response to Federal Court Ruling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 23, 2022

NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans City Council Vice President JP Morrell announced his initiative to reform the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) regarding Short Term Rentals (STR).

The move follows yesterday’s Federal Appellate Court ruling that the New Orleans ordinance barring out-of-state owners from possessing “whole home rentals” is considered unconstitutional. The ruling opens the door for investors to buy residential homes and convert them to STRs, which would exacerbate the city’s affordable housing crisis.

“STRs are destroying the fabric of our neighborhoods and pricing people out of their homes, and I am going to tighten regulations to protect our city’s residents and unique culture,” says Council Vice President JP Morrell. “The CZO as it currently stands is severely flawed, with numerous loopholes that out-of-state investors and bad operators continue to exploit to the detriment of our neighborhoods. I made the commitment to our residents and local stakeholders - the people who live and work here - that I would bring our community together to rewrite this flawed legislation, and that’s exactly what I intend on doing. This is our city. It is where we live. New Orleans is not a game of Monopoly for out-of-town real estate investors.”

Read Councilmember Morrell’s campaign platform regarding short term rentals here.

Read more about yesterday’s ruling here.

###

Media Contact:

Monet Brignac-Sullivan

Director of Communications

Councilmember JP Morrell, At-Large

504.975.2897

[email protected]

New Orleans City Council

The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of the New Orleans city government. The Council considers and enacts all local laws that govern the City of New Orleans. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City, as recommended by the mayor, and continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The City Council is also the regulatory body for public utilities. It also reviews and has the final say on many land use and zoning matters, as well as considers major economic development projects for the City. As a Board of Review for Orleans Parish, the Council examines appeals of property tax assessments for real estate taxes and certifies tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Other responsibilities of the Council include overseeing the operation of the public access television in Orleans Parish. Streaming video and video archives of the City Council's Regular and Committee meetings can be found on the City Council website.

The City Council is comprised of five districts and Councilmembers-at-large: Council President and Councilmember-at-Large Helena Moreno; Council Vice President and Councilmember-At-Large JP Morrell; District "A" Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso, III; District "B" Councilmember Lesli D. Harris; District "C" Councilmember Freddie King III; District "D" Councilmember Eugene J. Green, Jr.; and District "E" Councilmember Oliver M. Thomas, Jr.